Outgoing Returns Processing

1. An outgoing returns processing system comprising: at least one processing device configured to: receive outgoing returns data files for outgoing returns, where the received outgoing returns data files are of a plurality of file formats received from a plurality of channels; determine a file format for each of the plurality of the outgoing returns data files; in response to the determining the file format, convert at least one of the outgoing returns data files to a predetermined image file format corresponding to a file format of a platform for processing outgoing returns image files in the predetermined image file format; retrieve image files based on data from the outgoing returns data files in the predetermined image file format; and electronically process the outgoing returns.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to automatically generate automated general ledger settlement statements.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a network, wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to electronically transmit, via the network, on-us returns to a returns platform for processing separate from the outgoing returns.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a network, wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to electronically transmit, via the network, the outgoing returns to nationwide send.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to match and distribute cash letters based on the image files and the outgoing return data files.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to load the outgoing returns data files onto a processing platform in response to the converting the outgoing returns data files to the platform file format.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of file formats comprises a Microsoft Word format, a Microsoft Excel format, a x9.37i format, and a x9.37d format.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of channels comprises different divisions within a financial institution such that the outgoing returns data files are received via separate departments within the financial institution.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of channels further comprises an entity external to the financial institution so that the outgoing returns data files may be received via separate departments within the financial institution or via other financial institutions unaffiliated with the financial institution.

10. An apparatus comprising: at least one processing device configured to: receive outgoing returns data files, where the at least one processing device is configured to accept outgoing returns data files of a plurality of different file formats and via a plurality of channels; determine a file format for each of the plurality of the outgoing returns data files; in response to the determining the file format, convert at least one of the outgoing returns data files to a predetermined image file format corresponding to a file format of a platform for processing outgoing returns image files in the predetermined image file format; and retrieve image files based on the outgoing returns data files.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the at least one processing device is further configured to automatically settle the outgoing returns in response to retrieving the image files.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a network, wherein the automatically settling the outgoing returns comprises sending the outgoing returns back to a bank of first deposit electronically via the network.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising a network, wherein the automatically settling the outgoing returns comprises sending the outgoing returns back to the Federal Reserve electronically via the network.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of file formats comprises a Microsoft Word format, a Microsoft Excel format, a x9.37i format, and a x9.37d format.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of channels comprises different divisions within a financial institution such that the outgoing returns data files are received via separate departments within the financial institution.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the plurality of channels further comprises an entity external to the financial institution so that the outgoing returns data files may be received via separate departments within the financial institution or via other financial institutions unaffiliated with the financial institution.

17. A method comprising: receiving outgoing returns data files, where the outgoing returns data files are of a plurality of different file formats and received from a plurality of different channels; determining a file format for each of the plurality of the outgoing returns data files; in response to the determining the file format, converting, using a process device, at least one of the outgoing returns data files to a predetermined image file format corresponding to a file format of a platform for processing outgoing returns image files in the predetermined image file format; retrieving image files based on the outgoing returns data files; and settling the outgoing returns.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the settling the outgoing returns occurs automatically in response to retrieving the image files.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the settling the outgoing returns comprises generating automated general ledger settlement statements.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of different file formats comprises a Microsoft Word format, a Microsoft Excel format, a x9.37i format, and a x9.37d format.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of different channels comprises different divisions within a financial institution such that the outgoing returns data files may be received via separate departments within the financial institution.

22. The method of claim 17 , wherein the plurality of channels further comprises an entity external to the financial institution so that the outgoing returns data files may be received via other financial institutions unaffiliated with the financial institution.

23. A computer readable storage medium comprising a computer program product embodied therein, the computer program product, when executed on a computer causes the computer to: receive outgoing returns data files, where the outgoing returns data files may be of a plurality of different file formats and received from a plurality of different channels; determine a file format for each of the plurality of the outgoing returns data files; in response to the determining the file format, convert at least one of the outgoing returns data files to a predetermined image file format corresponding to a file format of a platform for processing outgoing returns image files in the predetermined image file format; retrieve image files based on the outgoing returns data files; and settle the outgoing returns.

24. The computer readable storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the settling the outgoing returns comprises automatically generating general ledger settlement statements.

25. The computer readable storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the receiving outgoing returns data files comprises receiving files of one of a Microsoft Word file format, a Microsoft Excel file format, a x9.37i file format, and a x9.37d file format.

26. The computer readable storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the plurality of different channels comprises different divisions within a financial institution such that the outgoing returns data files may be received via separate departments within the financial institution.

27. The computer readable storage medium of claim 23 , wherein the computer program product is further configured to match and distribute cash letters based on the image files and the outgoing return data files.